Review: 'Another Part of the Forest' at 2nd Story

Lillian Hellman's Another Part of the Forest is set as Reconstruction takes hold of the South. Greed and blind ambition can be mistaken for virtues in such turbulent times.

The Hubbards are the wealthiest and most reviled family in Bowden, Alabama. The family's Patriarch Marcus Hubbard (Vince Petronio) made a fortune selling salt, at war-profiteering prices, to Confederate soldiers. His sons Ben (Coleman Crenshaw) and Oscar (Jonathan Jacobs) have reluctantly carried on the family business of running a general store. They have used their blood money to purchase land, businesses, people and loyalties. To the Hubbards, especially young Regina (Gabby Sherba) acquiring is a goal unto itself.

The Hubbard children are alternately drawn to and repelled by their family wealth. They all want to leave, but want the money as well. Hellman hints at deep dark family secrets. Mental illness? Incest? Treason? Hellman's family dysfunction is juicy, entertaining, material.

Vince Petronio, Coleman Crenshaw and Jonathon Jacobs have great chemistry, playing out the inevitable fall of a father to his son(s). Petronio's Marcus has no redeeming qualities, roars when required, while being generally creepy. Crenshaw has the steeliness that is required for Ben, while Jacobs once again plays a pitiful loser, as he did in last season‘s Fuddy Meers.

Ed Shea's direction has taken the priMary Focus off of Regina, a character memorably played by Bette Davis in film The Little Foxes, and also played Tallulah Bankhead and Patricia Neal on stage. Gabby Sherba seems entirely comfortable as the bitchy and conniving Regina.

In this production, it is Lavinia Hubbard (Lynne Collinson), the family's marginalized matriarch that is, whether the family understands it or not, the epicenter of the drama. Lavinia is the keeper of the family secrets. We learn that secrets are a commodity as tradable as salt or cash. Lynn Collinson gives a layered, multi-faceted performance as Lavina.

The large supporting cast of Mark Gentsch, Eric Behr, Maryellen Brito, John Michael Richardson, Ryan Maxwell and Rae Mancini all give fine performances. This cast works well and are all acting in the same style and range, which gives the narrative the cohesiveness that it needs.

As Coralee, Lavina's personal maid, Marilyn Meardon has about two dozen lines spaced throughout three acts. On paper, Coralee is a minor character in this drama. On stage, Meardon's Coralee is opaque and mysterious and possibly omniscient.

Trevor Elliott's set design is simply a marvel. A full-size portico has been erected in the theater's small space. With multiple entrances and exits that lead actors through the audience, traditional stage direction has no meaning here. Ron Cesario's lush period costumes are a perfect complement to the set.

Three acts pass at lightning speed. Director Ed Shea moves the dialogue right along in a rapid-fire drawl. 2^nd Story's production of Another Part of the Forest is a completely entertaining evening of theater and feels, at times, as contemporary as it does historical.

Another Part of the Forest at 2nd Story Theatre runs through October 26^th. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at the 2nd Story Theatre box office located at 28 Market St., Warren, RI or by phone at 401-247-4200. 

Visit www.2ndStoryTheatre.com for more information.

Photo:  Laurette (foreground right, Rae Mancini) challenges Marcus Hubbard (foreground left, Vince Petronio) with (rear l-r) Birdie (Maryellen Brito), Bagtry (Mark Genstch), Lavinia(Lynne Collinson), Oscar Hubbard (Jonathan Jacobs), Ben Hubbard (Coleman Crenshaw)Musician (Ryan Maxwell), Musician (John Michael Richardson), Regina Hubbard (Gabby Sherba), and Coralee (Marilyn Meardon).

Photo credit: 2ndStoryTheatre/Richard W. Dionne, Jr.